Dearest Family,
  
Mom and Dad, your ward has FOUR MISSIONARIES?! That's crazy!! I guess our ward at home is pretty big... I just  forget because the branch here is so small! But it amazes me.. We talk to all of these people out here and they complain or talk about how they stopped  going to mass or church because they got a new Pastor and they don't like him as  much as the old pastor and that he teaches differently and all. And I am able to testify and share with them that in our church, you will always be  taught the same doctrine, you don't ever have to worry about that because the  same lessons and principles are being taught at all of our churches. So no  matter where you go, you'll always be hearing the same thing and nothing  will be different like that.  It's incredible. I love it! So fun though! Invite them over  for dinner and try and help them as much as you can! Offer our home for a place for them to teach their investigators!!!  
 
We were able to participate and volunteer at the Halloween Carnival here and it was so much fun! We dressed up... I wore a pink wig and a cape and Sister J wore a wizard hat and cape! It was way fun to see all the cute  little kids in their costumes! We have been praying really hard and consistently to be able to teach a family. There are so many cute little families here that we know could be benefitted by the gospel, we just need to find them!  

Mervin is getting baptized in 4 days! SO EXCITING! He is just
awesome. He has expressed his desire to get sealed to his wife who passed away a while back. We are so excited that he is beginning to recognize the power of the priesthood and how important it is and how influential it is to our families! I will definitely send you pictures this next week!
 
So yesterday, I taught my very first Relief Society Lesson, all by myself!
CRAZY! It was so much fun! I learned so much, it was awesome! I was a little  nervous before but since the relief society here is so small,
it wasn't as intimidating. I have a feeling though that I'm going to
have to teach a whole lot of relief society lessons on my mission! I was asked
to teach this lesson the Saturday before at like 7... hahaha. Very last minute
but it was a great opportunity for me to learn more about the gospel.
 
DAD... I remember that your eye always would twitch every once in a while.
I have began to notice my eye twitches SO MUCH now. Every time I yawn it
twitches... and just randomly. It might be from stress... but it's quite
interesting. I inherited it from you pops! Doesn't bother me though haha, just something funny I have been able to realize.
 
So this past week, we met with one of our investigators Cathy. She is so
sweet! We taught her the Plan of Salvation this past week and committed for to baptism for November 23rd and she accepted! We aren't exactly sure
how committed she is but she did say she'd get baptized if she found out it was true! She expressed how much she enjoys and loves having us over and
talking about the gospel. She has had a lot of struggles in her life and I feel
as if the gospel and what we've been able to help her understand has truly
helped give her comfort and peace. It is awesome being able to see the Lord's
hand as we teach.  
  
Anywho, this past week was awesome. We really have been blessed to be able
to have seen so much success. I know that sometimes we're going to have hard and long weeks with no success, but a week like this past week is something that we treasure. We know that its not going to always be happy and dandy, but if we are striving to follow the Spirit and work hard we will see success. Success doesn't mean baptism, it means talking to others and inviting them to come closer to Christ. Offering the invitation to learn more. That is my purpose as a missionary and my success is based upon that.
 
I hope everything goes well for you all this next week. Know that you are
all in my prayers each and every day. Remember that each and every one of us as individuals can make a difference in furthering the Kingdom of God. We are all able to help the Kingdom move forward. As we live the commandments and strive to become more Christlike, we will recognize those missionary opportunities more and recognize how influential we can be as we live righteously. I love you all so much and am grateful for all you guys do.
 
Love,
Sister Allen

Hi Family!
 
We haven't had the chance to find out if any of the less actives watched conference. We did meet with one Sister who has been struggling and she hadn't seen them but two of the talks were perfect for her. We let her know about them and she said she would watch them. We are starting to really develop a relationship with her and we just love her to death and know that by becoming active again she will be able to recognize and feel the Lord's hand in her life which she has forgotten. It was difficult for her because she went through a series of challenges one after the other and didn't have much support from the branch. Then she didn't get along very well with a couple members of the branch and so she has just had a hard time feeling like the Lord was there for her at that time in her life and forgiving the members of the branch. We have had a hard time trying to determine how we could help her in these situations but conference was the answer. The apostles always know the perfect thing to say. 

Sometimes I think about what I would be doing right now if I wouldn't have decided to serve a mission and I am grateful I made this decision. It is the hardest thing that I have ever had to go through, I cry at least once a week which is definitely more than I did when I was at home or at school, but I know that it is just forming me into a better person. It's definitely an experience that I will cherish my whole life but it's going to be a struggle, at least for a little while. Sister Johnson said one time that the mission kicks you down to your weakest point which enables you to learn to rely 100% on the Lord, which He then builds you up into an even greater person. I like to think of it like the story shared, I believe in conference, about the Provo Tabernacle. How it burned in the inside and everyone was questioning why God would let one of His buildings burn down. But then in conference the Prophet announced that it would be built into a temple. That is exactly like us, we go through all these trials and challenges to not break us down so we can fail, its to break us down so we recognize that the Lord is the one who can build us into a temple, something much greater than what we could have done ourselves. And He will because that is exactly why we are here. To become like Him. To become the best we can be. I try and remember that as I am going through the hard times.

I should be in this area for at least 6 months. For the first 12 weeks of your mission you get trained and so you for sure will stay in that area for that long, and then I will become a trainer and will most likely train a new sister for the 12 weeks and so I'm almost certain I'll be here for at least that long. Then after that it's up in the air! Just so you know, if you plan on sending any packages they need to be sent priority mail to me if you are sending it to the mission address. If its through another way then I have to pay for it to be forwarded to me. Also, if you don't want to send it priority, it can be sent directly to my actual address which is 604 W River St Apt A-7, Hot Springs SD 57747. That address won't always be the same though. But I'll always let you know my new address if it ever does change.  

I am not doing a good job at cooking... for some reason Sister Johnson and I are really bad at cooking things. I'm good at cooking chicken and steak though!

Mervin is getting baptised November 1st! We are so excited! It will be such a great experience. I will send pictures as soon as I can of it once it happens.
 
Hmm.. so this past week has been quite slow... and tough. We taught a total of 4 lessons. But it had some funny moments. I believe on Sunday we were going to visit a former investigator and we got in and he had 3 other people there visiting him. We all got to talking and there was this one gentleman who was just hounding us with questions. He asked Sister Johnson what she thought about war and then right then asked me instead and I was like uhhh... then I just whipped out some world peace answer. He then was like, "Okay Miss Universe." How embarassing!!!! It was really funny though. He told Sister Johnson he thought I was commercial.... so I guess I could take that as a diss or a compliment. I'd prefer the latter. (:
 
So... Sister Johnson and I have been really trying to each be better. Being stressed all the time just makes us want to eat a bunch of treats but when we get fed from members we get treats and so you can imagine how much dessert and bad food we eat. So we decided some rules on restricting sweets. So we ate at this ladies house that we are doing service at and they made cake. Well they decided to give us half of the cake... and we were just praying that she wouldn't. So we go home and have this cake and then Sister J decided to wipe the frosting on my face. Yeah, it became a cake war. I won.. obviously (; It was so fun though.. and somehow the cake ended up on the floor, which we took as an answer to our prayers. I'll send pictures (:
 
Lately though it has gotten so cold! It is saying in the weather forecast that it should snow soon... today to be exact. Which I am not excited for. It too soon!!! Anywho, the other night at 3:30 in the morning Sister J and I were woken up to a very very loud thunder.. It cracked and instantly she was like, "Sister Allen, did you hear that?" It was insane... and weird because I wasn't sure if it was in my dream or not... but apparently it was real! Scary. The lightening illuminated the night sky and our room... I love thunder storms!!
 
Oh, and sorry I wasn't able to email yesterday... because it was a holiday the library was closed. But get this... ya know how it's Columbus day? Here, it's called "Native American Day." I thought that was quite funny. (: Gotta love South Dakota! Anywho... I love and miss you all. I hope that you all have a great week. I can't wait to hear from you all (: (btw... Mama I did get your letter, thank you thank you! I sent you and Daddio letters as well.) OH, did I tell you I got a letter a couple weeks ago from Launi? She is so sweet! She sent me a talk and another funny little thing as well. I really enjoyed it!
 
Well, I love you all... you are all in my prayers each and every day! Keep me in yours! I really need em (:
 
xoxo,
Sister Allen

My dearest family,
 
This conference weekend truly was amazing, I just loved it! We were counting down the hours until we could watch conference ... it was truly a treat for us! The whole time, especially Uchtdorfs talk, I was thinking of our less actives and just was hoping and praying that they were watching! That talk was inspired for the ones in our branch! But I just loved it. I have no doubt that this is the true church.. my heart aches and yearns for those we come in contact with that close themselves off to hearing the truth. It breaks my heart. 

We don't have very good meals unless we are fed by the members, which doesn't happen too much. Sister Johnson and I had a talk last night about how we need to eat better... we're gaining a few extra pounds (; But it's just wonderful still. The work is still hard and frustrating sometimes but it's so rewarding when we talk to someone about the gospel, no matter if they accept it or reject it. It just helps me in confirming my testimony.
 
They shut down the parks here (Wind Caves, Jewel Cave... and I'm not sure what else) but it has taken a lot of our members out of work for the past week! That's definitely not a good thing, especially here, because there aren't many jobs here to begin with. They are also considering closing the VA here... which is the main job source in Hot Springs. If they close that then this town will be a ghost town and there is a good chance they'll take the missionaries out of here. Which would just break my heart because there is so much potential here!

 Sister Johnson and I were talking about how much stuff I had and she was concerned that I wouldn't be able to fit it all in my suitcases when transfers come. Hopefully I won't get transferred for a while! I might have to send back some things that I won't need! But I really appreciate you sending it all out to me... it saved my life!! Especially the coats! So this past Friday, it snowed..... all day....... and it was freezing! But of course, we had to go out and knock on some doors, missionary work doesn't end even if its snowing. But it was crazy because I'm not sure if the tree's are just really weak, if the wind was really strong, or if the snow was just really heavy but we would hear cracking and then a huge branch would fall from a tree!!! We had to dodge so many falling trees it was insane!!! But it made for a very exciting day as we were out in the blizzard! Sister Johnson and I just have an absolute blast, I just love her. What's really cool about Hot Springs is that the rivers are... hot springs haha. So when it snowed and when it gets cold, the river steams! We live right next to the river and we run by it each morning and it is incredible to see that no matter how cold it is, that river will never freeze.
 
It's crazy how important missionary work is being brought up in the church. We definitely are hastening the work! I love how they emphasized in conference to work with the missionaries! One thing that I have really found to be important in missionary work is member involvement. When investigators are able to have lessons with members it not only gives that 3rd witness of the gospel but it helps them be fellowshipped into the ward which makes it a more welcoming environment because they aren't afraid to go to a new place with people they don't know. Plus, it makes it seem like a normal thing because of course, us missioanries are normal... but we always wear skirts and dresses and we are doing missionary work all day every day. That's a little strange to some people! So yeah, it makes the transition of an investigator a lot easier! 
 
I am just SO jealous that you are all going to be together for Christmas! But I cannot wait to be able to talk to you all! We are actually going to be able to skype! HOW COOL HUH!? But I am so very excited! Sister Johnson and I are already listening to Christmas music! The Christmas music that we have anyway! We can listen to any hymns by anyone, not just Mormon Tabernacle Choir which is awesome! I wish I would have burned some CDs of Christmas music though... that would be awesome right about now haha! But we sing Christmas music all the time while walking down the street... especially this past weekend because there was snow all around us! Haha.

 I keep recognizing so many blessings in my life that I have had each and every day. I thank the Lord for everything I've been given, because I guarantee I am one of the luckiest girls in the world. I haven't gotten anything in the mail yet! The mailman hasn't been to our apartment in the past couple days... not sure why...  Real letters in the mail are the best. Seriously. We pray every day that we will get a letter... hahaha... kind of pathetic of us. But they're literally like gold!

I wanted to tell you something that I think you'd get quite a kick out of. So... being the junior companion I have some responsibilities that I am in charge of. One of those is the phone. I am suppose to make the calls, do the texting, and always have it with me. So.... you'd expect me to be really good at that right? haha wrong... I am HORRIBLE. I always forget it in the apartment. I hate making phone calls. I'm okay with texting people... but I forget to text people back all. the. time. Sister Johnson gets frustrated with me! Haha... but I just thought that was pretty funny since Pops thought I was gunna have withdrawals not having my phone. I honestly am SO relieved not having to worry about it. I am not having any type of phone withdrawal, it's great! (:
 
It's been really slow this past week.. We have only one progressing investigator and it's our wonderful guy on date. He is awesome. Literally. We just love him! He is so solid and is really recognizing the power of the gospel and how much it can bless his life. We are so amazed by the wonders of the gospel and how it truly affects and changes peoples lives. Being raised in the gospel I wasn't really able to recognize and see the power that the gospel brings to those who don't have it because we've always had it! It's incredible. I just love it! I still get super frustrated that I'm not as good of a teacher as I want to be but I'm making progress. This past week we were teaching Mervin (our investigator on date for baptism) the gospel of Jesus Christ lesson. It was the first time I was teaching it and I was SO terrified and nervous. Sister Johnson reminded me that I don't have to be perfect and to just rely on the spirit. So we said a prayer before and really asked for the spirit to be there to direct us as we taught. That night I recognized and felt the amazing power of the Spirit working through me. I was able to recall things that I had studied and really teach the principles in the lesson to him. It was such an amazing feeling and was just another testimony builder that the Lord is always there to guide and direct me as long as I am doing my part to prepare and study the best I can.
 
My MTC Companion, Sister Bird, left for home this last transfer. It broke my heart. She was having a hard time and couldn't handle it so she decided to leave. I haven't talked to her since the MTC. I wish that I would have handled the situation with her in the MTC a lot better... I sent her a letter while we were out in the field apologizing and expressing my love and gratitude to her and am just hoping that she got it and it helped her to understand and forgive me for not being the best companion I could have. My heart truly aches for her that she didn't think she could handle it anymore. It just got me thinking that no matter how many times I want to go home, no matter how hard it is, no matter how stressed or frustrated I get, I will never go home. And that sometimes is what frustrates me the most, is knowing that no matter how hard or trying it is, I'm never going to give up. And that makes me frustrated! I'm too stubborn to quit, especially when what I am doing is helping others find happiness in this life! Sister Johnson and I have had many many MANY talks about this and I am so blessed to have her as my trainer. I can't tell you how many times I have just cried out of frustration or homesickness or whatever the case may be, she has been such a great support and has given me the strength to keep pressing forward. She thinks I'm going to be this great missionary, one of the best in the mission, which I know she's just trying to make me feel better. But it has really given me the drive to become one of the best in the mission. I want to be able to become what the Lord sees. And I am going to work my hardest and prepare myself enough so I can be the best in the mission that I can. And not the best of the missionaries out here, but the best that me, Sister Allen, can become in the mission.
 
I am having a blast and I just love little Hot Springs South Dakota. There are so many wonderful things here and it is absolutely gorgeous! I just want all of you to be able to see it! I will try and send pictures. Well, I hope you all have a great week. I just love and adore you all and know that you are all in my prayers. Keep doing good and continue to live by example. And whenever possible, share the gospel. Always heed to your promptings of the Spirit. Never turn them away. Always follow those promptings because you never know whose prayers you could be answering. I love you all so much!
 
Love,
Sister Allen